Chicago Bears roster set, how will team fare in 2013?

UPDATE: 9/03, 10:30 p.m.: The Chicago Bears roster saw another exchange Tuesday night as offensive tackle Jonathan Scott had his contract terminated. Tight end Kyle Adams was re-signed to fill the vacant roster spot. This moveleaves Chicago with Eben Britton as the potential backup to prized free agent Jermon Bushrod. Britton is also listed as the team’s backup at right tackle. Word through social media has the release of Scott due in large part to his slowly recovering knee. Whether he was cut for that reason or another is not confirmed.

The Chicago Bears roster appears set after the acquisition of tight end Dante Rosario from the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Fellow TE Kyle Adams was released to make room for the former Panther and Charger.

The trade was just one of many roster moves for the Bears because Saturday was the day rosters had to be cut to 53. The Chicago Bears roster also filled the practice squad with players released by the team, as well as from others. Harvey Unga and Fendi Onobun (or Onopracticesquad) are two of the more notable names on the squad.

The Bears will open their season at home September 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the mean time, the team will prepare for their first game of consequence, and writers like me will give you the opportunity to read drivel on how the team will do.

The Bears will face an above average Bengals team right out the gate. Even though the first game is rarely the best indicator of a team going forward, it would be nice to see Jay Cutler and the new offense be successful against a good Cincy defense with a great defensive line. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins could have a huge day lining up against rookie guard Kyle Long.

If Chicago can escape with a win week one, more success could follow. Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and New Orleans follow. Each of those teams has very good and very bad that will be on display. If the Bears can split road games with the Vikings and Steelers, a 4-1 start is not out of the question.

Weeks 6-12 could break Chicago’s season. Back-to-Back NFC East showdowns with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins come before their week 8 bye. Chicago will have their short week against the Giants because it will be their mandatory Thursday night tilt. A split there would serve well as week 9 will see the Bears travel to Green Bay for their first of two Monday night games.

Toss in two road games at St. Louis and Baltimore, and the middle of the season could be a tough one.

Three of the final five regular season games will be on the road, and the season finale is at home against the previously mentioned Packers.

The transformed Chicago Bears roster on offense will see some solid defenses in 2013. The Steelers got younger, the Packers have some of the better positional players on ‘D’, the Ravens are still the Ravens, and Cleveland, St. Louis, and Washington are rounding into more of the scarier defenses in football.

The Bears have to win four of the first five to have a hope of making the playoffs. The playoffs could happen as well with a little luck with health, and God forbid a better offense. That being said, Chicago is just not good enough to grab a Wild Card spot. Green Bay continues to win with a full IR, and that won’t change in 2013.

The Chicago Bears will finish 8-8. Another year with another successful draft class could make Chicago a legitimate contender by 2014.

Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffrotull44 for more sports and entertainment ramblings. If you play fantasy sports, check out The Fantasy Fix, where Jeff’s weekly column ‘Peaks and Valleys’ covers your add/drop/watch needs during baseball and hockey season.